Here be me – New fiat owner in Utah

[Micah]

My name is Micah and I am the proud new owner of a silver 1979 Fiat Spider 2000. I got a bug up my butt to find out about doing EV conversions and what those would take. To make a long story short, I remember a friend who had a fiat in high school, eventually came across pictures of the fiat spider and I fell in love.

This is my first car, my first stick and my first time to work on anything automotive. After test driving my car for just a few minutes I knew I had to have it and here I am, a week later and $1350 poorer but happy as all get out.

I’ve already started making a list of all the things my untrained eye has spotted that is missing or needs fixing. I have a feeling as I get more familiar with this car that I’ll find even more things that need fixing or replacing but that’s the whole point, isn’t it?

Luckily Rook1 and I aren’t very far from each other so if nothing else, at least we can share beers and wallow in each other’s misery.

Looking forward to sharing my victories and defeats and reading the same from everyone else as well.

http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk12 ... ailer1.jpg
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk12 ... railer.jpg
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk12 ... garage.jpg

[leemartin]

very nice car! and welcome

[So Cal Mark]

welcome to the site! That silver with the red is fairly rare but popular

[mdrburchette]

It looks like you got one heckava deal! Welcome aboard.

[rlux4]

Good to hear from you Micah. Welcome. Man, did you get a deal. If that car runs and shifts well, you stole it! Good for you.
Just about anything you come up against you can get the answer for here. Get yourself a couple of repair manuals (different ones have strengths and weaknesses) and go here for a good wiring diagram:
http://www.artigue.com/fiat.php
Ron

[Micah]

Well unfortunately, all is not peachy. The interior is pretty beat up and so is the engine. There's an oil leak coming from somewhere along with other various missing parts (like the top for the air filter).

It did come with a service manual, thankfully, along with the original owner's manual and another book I can't recall off the top of my head. I'm debating what the first step I want to take is - either trying to get it registered and road worthy or completely taking it apart.

I'm leaning towards road worthiness first but haven't quite made up my mind yet.

Either way, I expect it will be a hoot.

[Ernie]

Micah,

In the ~30 years later Fiat world, rough interior and engine leaks are not a show stopper. It looks like you've found (stolen) a car with a good body. From there the rest is fixable, and worth fixing.

The silver/red is an attractive combo. Good luck with the new car.

Ernie

[baltobernie]

Just about all of 'em leak - kind of like Triumph motorcycles. Look at it as part of the "charm"

What is it about air cleaner lids that makes them so attractive? It seems that every buyer (myself included) reports them missing at the time of purchase. Is it possible that they also fit other, rarer cars? Wierd

Welcome, and good luck with your new baby.

[Micah]

Speaking of which, where can I find a replacement for something like that?

I've been searching around the internet without any luck and I'm not sure where I should look in town for something like that.

Any tips on where to go?

[mbouse]

very nice looking car. congratulations, and welcome.

[baltobernie]

For salvage parts, I've had some luck with one of our catalog suppliers, http://www.baylessfiat.com in Georgia. In addition to their great print catalog, they claim to have the largest Fiat, Lancia and Yugo salvage yard in the US. Be very specific in your e-mails as to what you're looking for, provide year and model info, state whether you need hardware, and include pictures whenever possible.

Many Fiat clubs have "stripper parties", where you can take what you need from derelict cars. Don't know if there are any clubs in Utah (for that matter, if there are any strippers, either )

[ROOK1]

Congrats Micah! Knowing what I know now about these Spiders I should have bought that one when I had the chance.
Let me know if you need any help, I sure don't mind helping someone else spend their money when I dont have the money for mine.

[Micah]

You can't have it - it's mine, mine, mine!

I've actually started putting together a shopping list already and between the parts, tools and various other things...I'm liking this hobby already.

[WarbirdAL]

Hi Micah, nice looking car! sounds like a good buy.. I am down in SLC area. I have a couple of those Fiats. I am sort of ok I am addicted to them. I tried years ago to be Fiat free. It lasted about 15 years and now I have 2 running cars and one parts car.